Don’t Judge a Book by its Movie is a feature on The Candid Cover spotlighting and reviewing book to movie adaptations.
The Sun is Also a Star is a book to movie adaptation that could have been so much more. The novel is an incredible love story that focuses on destiny. However. the screenplay just seems to have strayed so far from the book that it is incredibly boring to watch. With an incredible cast and fantastic cinematography, this is a disappointing film.
Title: The Sun is Also a StarAuthor: Nicola Yoon
Also by this author: Everything, Everything
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Cast: Yara Shahidi, Jake Choi
Director: Ry Russo-Young
Screenplay: Tracy Oliver
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
Rating:
Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.
Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?
The Sun is Also a Star: Book vs. Movie
Nicola Yoon’s 2016 contemporary, The Sun is Also a Star is a book that explores fate from the perspectives of Natasha, Daniel, and the Universe. The serious aspect of Natasha’s looming deportation is offset by her one day chance meeting with Daniel. Also, there is an element of humour in the novel that adds to its appeal. When I re-read this book recently, I chose to listen to the audio version and I highly recommend it, as it is well narrated.
❀ Film is a Let Down Compared to The Book
The film adaptation is quite a let down, as there is no real movement in the plot. This is so surprising because the book seems as though it is perfectly set up for the screen. Natasha and Daniel spend a day in New York learning about one another’s cultures and explore the city, while the universe brings them closer together. It is a whirlwind of a book that reminds me of the Ethan Hawke film, Before Sunrise. Simply put, there is no wow factor in this book to movie adaptation. It is super boring and the romance in the book does not translate to the screen at all.
❀ Superb Casting
The fact that this movie falls flat is surprising because the acting is actually quite good and the casting is superb. Both Yara Shahidi and Jake Choi are perfect for the roles of Natasha and Daniel. As the movie version has left out the role of the Universe, a good chunk of the film focuses on cinematography. If you love New York city, there is no shortage of landmarks and artsy shots of the city.
❀ Wait for its Netflix Release
While many books turned into films can be a bit of a let down, The Sun is Also a Star is a book that could have made a fantastic film. Unfortunately, even with a perfect story and cast, the screenplay does not do the novel justice. Skip this one at the box office and wait for its release on Netflix if you are curious about it.
About Nicola Yoon
Nicola Yoon grew up in Jamaica (the island) and Brooklyn (part of Long Island). She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and daughter, both of whom she loves beyond all reason. Everything, Everything is her first novel.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
I loved this post! Because you “tell it as you felt it” LOL And yes if the actors were goods what did go wrong?
Right?! The ingredients are all there, the story just needs to move along. lol
I bought the book when it came out and I haven’t even read it yet (as usual lol) but it’s still disappointing to hear that the movie is a let down. Maybe I’ll see it someday once I’ve read the book but I know not to have high expectations at least.
I do hope that you get a chance to read the book! I think that you will really enjoy it. 🙂
That’s a bummer the film wasn’t as good as the book. 🙁
Yeah. I had really high hopes for it. Maybe the next one! 😉
Oh thank you so much for sharing this review! I haven’t read the book, but I wanted to read it and see the movie as well, now I think I might wait a little while and maybe get to the book first 🙂 I’m sorry this was a bit of a disappointment, that’s too bad, it sounded so promising!
You will really love the book, Marie! It is so wonderful! 🙂
Aw man that sucks! I really loved the book! And I know! The casting is fantastic! I’ll definitely wait for the movie to come to Netflix.
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I guess that I should have expected this too happen, but the casting and director seemed like this was going to be a winner.
The only movie that I’ve liked better than the book is Chocolat.
Oooh! I have seen that one. It is amazing! 🙂
What a disappointment to hear. I don’t read a ton of contemporary stories, but The Sun is Also A Star is one that I picked up on impulse and ended up devouring. It was beautiful, poignant, consuming. It was such an amazing story. And I could definitely imagine it being made into a movie, and being just as fantastic. It really stinks that the story didn’t compute through the screen. Definitely waiting to Netflix this one.
I know! I have no idea why this one turned out the way it did. it is perfectly set up.
I have yet to see this one, but I WAS planning to watch it in theaters. I absolutely loved the book, and I agree — the cast is perfect. Sorry to hear you didn’t love the adaptation. I was hoping this wouldn’t end up as Nicola’s other adaptation, Everything, Everything. I’ll probably still shell out the cash to see it, though.
I think that I liked Everything, Everything more on the screen than this one, tbh. I would love to hear your thoughts if you do see it. 🙂
Wonderful review! I haven’t read the book or watched the movie but I hope I’ll get to them soon! I’m sorry the movie was a disappointment for you! I’ve actually seen the trailer and actors look good. It’s a bummer that the screenplay wasn’t great.
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I hope that you love the book! 🙂
So many movies fail to live up to the books they’re supposed to be based on. One I did like as much as the book is A Wrinkle in Time. Different than the book but very good in its own way.
That one did have some great aspects to it. I always expect there to be some differences, but it is disappointing when it just doesn’t live up to the book. 🙂
The movie was not good. I bought the book and it was great
I am so glad that you enjoyed the book, though! 🙂
I prefer books to movies as I am often disappointed in a movie if I watch it after reading the book.
I haven’t read the book yet. I think that I will start with that before watching on Netflix. Thanks for the review.
I would like to read the book.
If I read a book that is absolutely amazing, then I almost never watch the movie later. It terrifies me because things are so often changed.
Agreed. I have read books that were better than movies & sometimes even movies that were better in that format than the book.
Interesting point to come across. It’s rare but some movies are a whole new level in adaptation, some brings out the story well
It is hard to find a movie that is true to the book unfortunately.
Sometimes when I encounter a movie that is lacking but the overall plot is a good one, I will search out the book to read. Most times, as writers learn, much of their original intrigue gets lost on the cutting room floor. Between screenplay writers, producers & directors, much of a great story can get lost or ruined.
I love Stephen Kings books and much prefer them to the movies made of them. It is always more horrifying in my head while I am reading the book.
Thank you for the honest review. I often find myself disappointed in the film adaptation. That’s why I make a point to read the novel before I see the film.
I loved this book and haven’t watched the movie because I’m so afraid it will ruin the story for me.
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I am going to look for this book because I think it would be awesome. I would rather read the book than watch the movie. That’s just me though.
Thanks for the honest review. I think I will stick with the book which I always read first anyway.
Review is on point 🙂
I have not read this book nor seen the movie and from what you wrote here not sure if I want to see this movie before reading the book, I hate let downs LOL.
@tisonlyme143
Great post – thanks for sharing!
I have noticed most of the time the movies based on a book are more often than not a let down.
I would agree, sometimes movies are really not nearly as good as the books they’re based on.
I havent read this book either!! Im definitely reading it before it hits Netflix!
I have read several books in my life and then went to see the movie when it was adapted. To e 9 times out of ten the book is always better. I definitely enjoy it more.